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Geometry or Cost Engine Changes that Could Impact Configured Digital Factories

The following changes might impact costing, even for Digital Factories that use earlier cost model versions.

  • Extraction of Convex Rounded Corners from ODB++ Files (can affect material utilization): In previous releases, convex rounded corners of the board outline sometimes were extracted from ODB+_ files with an inverted direction, as shown below . Image This release corrects the issue, which occurred infrequently (in fewer than 3% of parts in aPriori's test suite). As a result of this change, nesting layouts might change and material utilization might increase.

  • Contour Extraction from ODB++ Files: aPriori now will extract Contour GCDs from a Rout file with no drill tool defined. In addition, aPriori now will extract Contour GCDs from Drill files which contain oval-shaped slots. Previousl, no GCD was extracted for such contours defined in ODB++ files. As a result of these changes, costs may increase slightly compared to the previous release.

  • ODB++ Files Exported from Zuken (reduces costing failures): In previous releases, aPriori failed to cost PCB boards with holes defined in ODB++ drill files exported from Zuken. Most ECAD systems define a hole’s start and end layers as copper layers, or they leave the start and end layers blank for through holes. The Zuken ODB++ export instead specifies the start and/or end layer for a non-buried hole as a silk screen, mask, or paste layer, which previously was not supported by aPriori. In this release, if a hole is defined as starting or ending on a silk screen, mask, or paste layer, aPriori assumes that the hole starts or ends on an outermost copper layer, and it costs the board successfully.
  • Detection of Duplicate Holes and Contours (no cost impact): As in previous releases, if a hole or contour is defined multiple times, aPriori extracts and costs the duplicates. In this release, aPriori detects such duplicates, displays a warning message in the Viewer, and logs the tool number associated with the duplicate. These messages and log entries can help users avoid overestimating the cost of the PCB; users can do either of the following:
    • Update the ECAD file to remove the duplicate hole or contour definition.
    • Assign a No Cost Feature operation to the duplicate holes and contours.

Bug Fixes or Small Improvements to Prior Cost Model Versions

The following changes might impact costing for Digital Factories that use earlier cost model versions.

  • NO IMPACT

Cost Model Changes that Do Not Affect Configured Digital Factories

The following changes do not affect costings with Digital Factories that use earlier cost model versions. The changes are available only in the latest cost model version.

  • NO IMPACT

Overall, the Fully Burdened Cost for the PCB Process Group is expected to decrease by an average of around xxx.